A Michigan Medicare Broker Who Works for You, Not the Insurance Companies
We're an independent agency, which means we have no loyalty to any single carrier. Our loyalty is to you.
About
My name is Richard Duffield, and I've spent more than 25 years helping Michigan residents make sense of their insurance options — first in group coverage, now with a dedicated focus on Medicare. I started
because I kept seeing the same thing: people turning 65 with a stack of mailers, no clear answers, and no one in their corner who wasn't trying to sell them a specific plan.
That's the problem we exist to solve.
We Work For You
What "Independent" Actually Means for You
Most agents you'll encounter are captive — they represent one company and sell that company's products. We're not built that way.
As an independent broker, we're licensed to work with the major Medicare carriers serving Michigan. That means when we sit down together, we're comparing real options across the market — Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policies, and Part D prescription drug coverage — and recommending what fits your situation, your doctors, and your budget.
We don't have a quota. We don't have a preferred carrier. We have one job: find you the right plan.
25 Years of Experience You Can Actually Feel
Insurance isn't complicated because the concepts are hard. It's complicated because the rules are specific, the deadlines matter, and the wrong choice can cost you.
After more than two decades in this industry, I've worked through nearly every scenario a Michigan resident can face — aging in at 65, losing employer coverage, retiring mid-year, moving between plans during Annual Enrollment, navigating Special Enrollment Period rules. I've seen the penalties people pay when they miss a deadline they didn't know existed. I've helped clients untangle coverage gaps they didn't realize they had.
That depth of experience is what you get when you call us. Not a script. Not a brochure. A real conversation with someone who knows this territory.
Who We Serve Across Michigan
We work with residents throughout the state — from the Detroit metro and Lansing to Grand Rapids and beyond. Whether you're in a major city or a smaller community across the lower or upper peninsula, we're licensed to help you.
Our clients include people turning 65 for the first time, retirees comparing their current coverage against new options, and individuals who've been referred to us from our group insurance practice. Many of our Medicare clients come to us through word of mouth, which is the kind of trust we don't take lightly.
We also serve clients in Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing, and Ann Arbor who want to meet locally or simply prefer working with someone who knows their market.
Coverage Beyond Medicare
Medicare is our primary focus, but we also help clients with the coverage that surrounds it. Life insurance, annuities, long-term care insurance, disability coverage, and travel insurance are all part of what we offer — particularly for clients who want to work with one trusted advisor across their full picture.
If you've been referred to us from our group insurance practice, you already know how we work. The same approach applies here.
Ready to Talk with a Licensed Medicare Advisor?
There's no pressure and no obligation. A conversation with us is just that — a conversation. We'll listen to where you are, explain your options in plain language, and help you figure out what makes sense.
General Questions
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Is Richard Duffield a licensed Medicare broker in Michigan?
Yes. Richard Duffield is a licensed, independent insurance agent serving Medicare beneficiaries throughout Michigan. He holds no exclusive contracts with any single carrier, which allows him to compare plans across the market on your behalf.
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What makes an independent broker different from a carrier's agent?
A carrier's agent represents one company and sells that company's plans. An independent broker like Richard is licensed with multiple carriers and can show you options side by side — Medicare Advantage, Medigap, and Part D — without a stake in which one you choose.
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How much experience does Richard have with Medicare?
Richard has more than 25 years of experience in insurance, with a dedicated focus on Medicare planning. He has helped Michigan residents navigate Initial Enrollment Periods, Special Enrollment Periods, Annual Enrollment changes, and the full range of Medicare plan types.
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Does MI Medicare Plans serve all of Michigan?
Yes. While our core market is the lower peninsula — including the Detroit metro, Lansing, and Grand Rapids corridors — we are licensed to serve clients throughout Michigan, including the Upper Peninsula.
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Is there a cost to work with MI Medicare Plans?
No. Our services are provided at no cost to you. As an independent broker, we are compensated by the carriers when a plan is selected. You pay nothing for the consultation, the comparison, or our ongoing support.
